Middle East

Investors are waiting for clarity about U.S. president Donald Trump's policy on trade ahead of the looming tariffs. Trump's recent comments have given traders hope that trade policies can be flexible. He hinted on Monday that not all tariffs will kick in until April 2, and that certain countries may receive exemptions. However, he did not provide any details. Trump escalated his trade conflict by introducing secondary tariffs of 25% on countries who buy oil or natural gas from Venezuela. The move caused oil prices to rise initially, but its impact was mitigated later by the relief brought about by...

At a Beijing business forum on Sunday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for countries to expand their markets in order to combat the "rising uncertainty and instability" as China prepares to face further U.S. trade tariffs. State media reported that Li said, "In an increasingly fragmented and uncertain world, with rising instabilities and uncertainties, it's more important for countries to open their markets and enterprise... to resist challenges and risks." He was speaking to dozens of visiting U.S. Republican senator Steve Daines and dozens other foreign CEOs at the China Development Forum. Sources previously said that foreign CEOs, including Tim...

The Tunisian president Kais Saied fired Prime Minister Kamel Mddouri, less than one year after his appointment. He named Sara Zaafarani to replace him, amid a faltering economic situation and an increasing number of migrants coming from sub-Saharan Africa. Zaafarani is an engineer and has served as Minister of Equipment and Housing in 2021. He is the third Prime Minister to be elected in less than two and a half years. Saied has been harshly criticizing the performance of many ministers in recent months. He said that they had not met the standards required and that Tunisians have high expectations....

Cognite, a Saudi Aramco-backed software company for industrial applications in Bengaluru in southern India, opened its AI service center on Wednesday and announced that it was exploring possible contracts with the top conglomerates of the country. The company declined to give further details, but said that it had signed agreements with two major automobile companies and a large industrial-cement company. Hakon Bjerke, chief strategy officer at Cognite, said that the company is "betting on India" and investing millions of dollars in India. Cognite produces software to help companies improve the safety and operation of industrial installations such as oil and...

S&P, a global ratings agency, raised Saudi Arabia's credit rating from 'A to 'A+ with a stable outlook' on Friday. This was based on the ongoing social-economic transformation of the country. Fitch stated that the Vision 2030 project of the country provides flexibility in managing capital spending and debt issuance. This report stated that the sustained momentum of this project could help boost activity in the construction, manufacturing, and mining sectors to spur GDP growth between 2025-2028. The ratings agency said earlier this week that it expected the Saudi government to reduce capex, and current spending associated with them in...

The Syrian presidency announced on Monday that the Kurdish-led, U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, which control much of Syria's oil rich northeast, had signed an agreement agreeing to be integrated into Syria's newly created state institutions. The agreement, which included an end to all hostilities, has been signed by the interim Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa, and Mazloum Abdi, commander of the SDF. According to the agreement, the text of which was published online by the president, all civil and military institutions located in the northeastern part of Syria will be integrated into the state. The latter will then take control over...

The United States is reviewing existing sanctions waivers which provide Iran with any degree of economic assistance, and the U.S. State Department spokesperson stated on Thursday that the United States was urging the Iraqi Government to eliminate their dependence on Iranian energy sources as soon as they can. At her first press briefing as the spokesperson for President Donald Trump, Tammy Bruce responded to a question about whether or not a waiver of sanctions that allows Iraqi electricity payments to Iran would be renewed. She said, "We don't have anything to announce regarding the current electricity exemption that expires (on)...

The British government unfroze assets belonging to the central bank of Syria and 23 other entities, including banks and oil firms. This is a reversal of sanctions that were imposed under Bashar al Assad's presidency. After more than 13 years in civil war, insurgents led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham ousted Assad from his position as president last December, the West has rethought its approach towards Syria. The British Government website posted a notice stating that entities such as the Central Bank, the Commercial Bank of Syria, and the Agricultural Cooperative Bank were delisted and no longer subject to a asset...

ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.), a state-owned company, has pursued a number of mergers and acquisitions with European companies with the aim of diversifying and developing its renewable energy and chemicals operations. ADNOC has been involved in the following deals and discussions: COVESTRO ADNOC announced on October 1 that it had agreed to purchase German chemicals manufacturer Covestro for $14.7 billion. This is one of the largest foreign takeovers in the Gulf, and is intended to reduce the country's heavy reliance on oil during the energy transition. ADNOC will merge with OMV its polyolefin business to create a chemical...

The Gulf's stock markets fell on Tuesday morning as U.S. trade tariffs threatened an increase in global trade tensions. Saudi Aramco also disappointed investors with its disappointing earnings. The new tariffs of 25% on imports to the United States from Mexico and Canada, as well as a 20% increase on Chinese goods, went into effect on Tuesday. This sparked new trade disputes with three of the U.S.'s top trading partners. Saudi Arabia's benchmark stock index fell 1.1%. Saudi Aramco fell 2.2% after a decline in profit. The oil giant reported Tuesday a net loss of $106.2 billion for 2024. This...

Aramco, the Saudi oil giant, said it expected to declare dividends totaling $85.4 billion by 2025. This is a drop of nearly 30% from 2024 payouts due to lower sales and increased costs. Aramco will pay out about $124.25 Billion in dividends by 2024, and $97.78 Billion in 2023. Aramco’s dividends in 2024 included approximately $43,1 billion in performance-linked bonuses, a mechanism that was introduced in 2023 and is paid on top of the base dividends which are paid regardless. The company announced $200 million in performance linked dividends that will be paid out in the first quarter 2025. This...

A survey released on Tuesday showed that the Saudi Arabian non-oil sector's growth continued to be robust in February. This was due to strong sales by customers and higher activity levels. However, the rate of growth has slowed since the previous month. The Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers' Index fell from a decade high reading of 60.5 to 58.4 at the end of February, but remained above 50. This indicates strong growth. The small drop in the headline PMI can be attributed to the slowing of new business growth that had soared at the beginning of the year. The...

The oil prices were barely affected on Tuesday, as investors considered the impact of U.S. Tariffs on countries that buy oil and gas from Venezuela and the effect of tariffs in other industries like automobiles. Brent crude futures rose 1 cent to $73.01 per barrel at 0121 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude rose 1 cent to $69.12. Both benchmarks rose more than 1% after U.S. president Donald Trump announced that a 25% tax would be levied on countries that import oil and gas out of Venezuela. Investors are concerned that Trump's tariffs will slow down the economy and reduce...

Oil prices fell on Monday, as investors assessed the prospects for ceasefire negotiations aimed at ending Russia-Ukraine War. This could lead to a rise in Russian oil being sold to global markets. Brent crude futures fell 25 cents or 0.4% to $71.91 per barrel at 0409 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude fell 20 cents or 0.3% to $68.08. Both benchmarks closed higher on Friday, recording a second weekly gain. This was due to the new U.S. sanction on Iran as well as the latest production plan of the OPEC+ producer groups. After discussions with Ukrainian diplomats on Sunday, a...

Oil prices remained stable on Monday, as investors assessed the prospects for ceasefire negotiations aimed at ending Russia-Ukraine War. This could lead to a rise in Russian oil being sold to global markets. Brent crude futures fell 8 cents or 0.1% to $72.08 per barrel at 0046 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude fell 5 cents or 0.1% to $68.23. Both benchmarks closed higher on Friday, recording a second weekly gain after fresh U.S. Sanctions on Iran and the newest output plan by the OPEC+ producer groups raised expectations for tighter supply. After discussions with Ukrainian diplomats on Sunday, a...

The oil prices rose on Friday, thanks to a stronger dollar and an optimistic outlook for the demand in the United States, after fuel inventories dropped more than expected. Brent crude futures gained 43 cents or 0.6% to $71.21 per barrel at 0423 GMT. This is their highest level since the 3rd of March. The U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI), which is a crude oil produced in the United States, gained 38 cents or 0.6% to $67.54. U.S. data revealed a greater than expected drawdown in distillate stocks, including heating oil and diesel, last week. The drop was 2.8 million...

Brent crude futures flipped into a discount versus Dubai swaps Wednesday for the first time in November 2023. LSEG data revealed this, highlighting the strength of Middle East sour crude compared to the global benchmark sweet crude. Brent-Dubai Exchange of Futures for Swaps LSEG data revealed that the price of oil was minus 2 cents per barrel as of Wednesday's close on the market at 0430 GMT. Two trade sources reported that the discount had since increased to 14 cents per barrel. Sweet oil is usually more expensive because it's easier to process. Harry Tchilligurian is the head of research...

Early trading Tuesday saw little change in oil prices as concerns about global growth, U.S. Tariffs and Russia-Ukraine peace talks offset the increased instabilities in the Middle East. Brent futures increased 10 cents or 0.14% to $71.17 a bar by 135 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude futures climbed 7 cents or 0.1% to $67.65 a bar. Tina Teng, an independent analyst of the market, said that "fundamental economic uncertainties are overshadowing geopolitical tensions". The global demand outlook remains weak due to tariffs and the ceasefire talks in the Ukraine War. Investors were encouraged by the Chinese data released on...

The International Energy Agency reported in its monthly report on the oil market that global oil supply may exceed demand this year by 600,000 barrels a day. This follows a downward revision of its demand growth forecast for 2025. The Paris-based agency stated that the surplus could increase by 400,000 bpd if OPEC+ continues to unwind its output cuts and fails in reining in overproduction against quotas. Calculations based on IEA figures show that the IEA’s February oil report suggested a slightly smaller surplus of about 500,000 bpd. The IEA has revised its forecast for oil demand growth in 2025...

The oil prices dropped for a second consecutive day on Tuesday as fears grew over a possible U.S. economic recession, the impact that tariffs would have on global growth, and OPEC+'s focus on increasing supply. Brent futures dropped 6 cents or 0.1% to $69.22 per barrel at 0402 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude futures declined 13 cents or 0.2% to $65.90 per barrel. Donald Trump's protectionist policy has roiled global markets. Trump imposed and then delayed tariffs on Canada and Mexico, his country's two largest oil suppliers. He also raised duties on Chinese products. China and Canada responded with...

The oil prices dropped for a second consecutive day on early Tuesday, amid fears that U.S. Tariffs on Canada Mexico and China will slow down economies in the world. This could also hurt energy demand as OPEC+ increases its supply. Brent futures dropped 29 cents or 0.42% to $68.99 a bar at 0016 GMT. U.S. West Texas intermediate crude futures declined 36 cents or 0.55% to $65.67 a bar. Donald Trump's protectionist policy has roiled global markets. Trump has imposed and then delayed tariffs on the biggest oil suppliers of his country, Canada and Mexico. He also raised duties on...

Oil prices dropped on Monday, as investors' appetite for riskier assets was tempered by concerns about the impact of U.S. tariffs on global growth and fuel consumption, as well as the rising production from OPEC+ producers. Brent crude dropped 31 cents or 0.4% to $70.05 per barrel at 0445 GMT, after closing up 90 cents Friday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude was $66.69 per barrel, down by 35 cents or 0.5% after closing the previous session 68 cents higher. WTI fell for the seventh consecutive week, which is the longest losing streak in 2023. Brent also dropped for a third...

Investor sentiment was hammered by the third consecutive session of oil price declines as major producers announced plans to increase production in April. This is coupled with fears that U.S. Tariffs on Canada Mexico and China would slow down economic growth and fuel demand. Brent futures were 15 cents lower at $70.89 per barrel by 0200 GMT. The contract had fallen to its lowest level since September 11 and was settled at that lowest price. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI), which had settled at its lowest price since December, fell by 40 cents per barrel or 0.6% to $67.86....

Sources said that as OPEC+ debated if they should keep oil production steady because of weak global demand, or increase it in response to pressure from the U.S. president Donald Trump and internal pressure, a record output from Kazakhstan helped sway their decision. OPEC, along with its allies, including Russia, a collective known as OPEC+ decided to increase production for the first since 2022. It stated that its decision was based on a healthy market and positive market prospects, without mentioning Kazakhstan. The group plans to increase production by 138,000 barrels a day starting in April. This is the first...